Method for selectively printing messages and adding inserts to merchant statements

ABSTRACT

A method for selectively printing messages and adding inserts to merchant statements includes defining messages and inserts. Merchant parameters for each message and insert are then selected. Merchants having the selected parameters for each message and insert are identified. The messages and inserts are associated with the merchant statements of the merchants having the selected merchant parameters. Messages associated with the merchant statements are printed on the merchant statements. Inserts associated with the merchant statements are added to the envelopes containing the merchant statements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/246,025 filed Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a system and method fordefining parameters to selectively control the printing of messages andthe placement of inserts into monthly merchant statements.

BACKGROUND ART

Credit companies provide credit to their clients and send monthlystatements to their clients regarding the use of the credit. The clientsare typically merchants that sell goods and services to consumers oncredit. The statements generally inform the merchant on what themerchant was funded for during the processing period. The merchant usesthe statement to reconcile specific transaction information regardingall of the transactions that occurred during the processing period. Thespecific transaction information includes the type of transaction, theamount credited, the credit card used, the date and time, etc.

The monthly statement is the primary communication vehicle between thebank and the merchant. It is desirable to be able to send targetedmessages and inserts to the merchants using the monthly statements. Inorder to enhance the statement as a communication vehicle, there is aneed to be able to print selected messages to the statements forselected merchants. Further, there is a need to be able to add selectedinserts to the statements for selected merchants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asystem and method for defining parameters to selectively control theprinting of messages and the placement of inserts into monthly mailedstatements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system andmethod for providing messages and inserts to monthly statements mailedto merchants in which the messages and inserts are selected based ondefined attributes of the merchants.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system andmethod for providing messages and inserts to monthly statements oftargeted merchants.

In carrying out the above objects and other objects, the presentinvention provides a system for selectively printing messages and addinginserts to merchant statements. The system includes a computer fordefining a plurality of messages and a plurality of inserts. Thecomputer is operable to select merchant parameters for each message andinsert. The computer is further operable to identify merchants that havethe selected merchant parameters for each message and insert. Thecomputer associates each message and insert with merchant statements ofthe merchants having the selected merchant parameters.

Further, in carrying out the above objects and other objects, thepresent invention provides a method for selectively printing messagesand adding inserts to merchant statements. The method includes defininga plurality of messages and a plurality of inserts. Merchant parametersare then selected for each message and insert. Merchants that have theselected merchant parameters are then identified for each message andinsert. Each message and insert is then associated with merchantstatements of the merchants having the selected merchant parameters.

The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram representing operation of a system andmethod according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for carrying out the method of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a message definition graphical user interface (GUI)used for defining a message;

FIG. 4 illustrates a merchant selection GUI that is associated with eachdefined message and includes the merchant parameters to be tested toidentify merchants that meet the selected parameters for that message;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate multiple merchant selection GUIs that areassociated with a defined message;

FIG. 6 illustrates a merchant selection review screen which contains alist of those merchants that have qualified for the rules of aparticular message;

FIG. 7 illustrates an insert identification GUI used for defining aninsert;

FIG. 8 illustrates a merchant selection GUI that is associated with eachdefined insert and includes the merchant parameters to be tested toidentify merchants that meet the selected parameters for that insert;and

FIG. 9 illustrates a merchant selection review screen which contains alist of those merchants that have qualified for the rules for aparticular insert.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a flow diagram 10 representing operation of asystem and method according to the present invention is shown.Initially, block 12 prompts a user to define a message. A message is ablurb that is to be printed on the cover page of the monthly statementfor a merchant. The message may also be printed at other locations suchas various section breaks of the monthly statement. More than onemessage may be printed on the monthly statement and the user may definemany messages.

Each message includes text, a priority code, an effective date, anexpiration date, a print detail listing, and a requester identifier. Thetext is the blurb to be printed on the monthly statement. The prioritycode dictates the sequence in which multiple messages are printed on themonthly statement. The effective date is the date on which the messagemay be printed on monthly statements having a printing date after or onthe effective date. The expiration date is the date on which the messageis not to be printed on monthly statements having a printing date afteror on the expiration date. The print detail listing is a flag which isused by a processor to list the merchants qualifying for the message.The requester identifier identifies the user that defined the message.

Block 14 then prompts the user to define an insert. An insert is apre-printed document that is to be inserted into the envelope in whichthe monthly statement of the merchant is mailed. Inserts requireplanning so that they are produced in a timely fashion, shipped to theprinter by an acceptable date, and meet all physical parameters requiredby the printer regarding weight, size, and paper thickness. In general,the ability to support selective inserts is dependent upon the hardwarecapabilities of the physical printer operations. More than one insertmay be added to the monthly statement and the user may define manyinserts.

Each insert includes a description, a form number, an effective date, anexpiration date, a print detail listing, and a requester identifier. Thedescription and the form number provided are directions used by stuffingmachine operators for loading the insertion documents with the monthlystatements. The effective and expiration dates indicate when the insertsare to be inserted. The print detail listing is a flag which is used bya processor to list the merchants qualifying for the insert. Therequester identifier identifies the user that defined the insert.

After the messages and inserts are defined, block 16 continues withselecting the merchant parameters for each message and block 18continues with selecting the merchant parameters for each insert. Theparameters are criteria or rules. The merchants having thecharacteristics which satisfy the rules for a message will be identifiedin block 20 to receive that message on their statement. Similarly, themerchants having the characteristics which satisfy the rules for aninsert will be identified in block 20 to receive that insert with theirstatement.

Both the enhanced messages and the selective inserts are based on theuser being able to define attributes of selected merchant groups towhich they would like to target messages and inserts. For instance, theuser can set the rules such that for all merchants with a code of 1234,message one is printed, or for all merchants that are entitled to acertain product, insert three is provided, etc. The merchant attributesfor which selection specifications can be defined include the following:market segment, standard industry classification, credit card merchantcategory code, marker bank, business number, bank number, agent number,corporate number, chain number, DBA state, bill to state, DBA zip code,bill to zip code, processing mode (paperless indicator), internalaccount merchant number, and status code.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a system 30 for carrying out the method of thepresent invention is shown. System 30 includes a personal computer 32 inoperable communication with first and second memory databases 34 and 36and a printer 38. First database 34 stores the defined messages andsecond database 36 stores the defined inserts. The user uses computer 32to define the messages and the inserts. After the messages and theinserts are defined, the user uses computer 32 to select the merchantparameters for each message and insert.

Computer 32 then processes the merchant data and identifies allmerchants meeting the selected merchant parameters for each message andinsert. Computer 32 then controls printer 38 to print a message on themonthly statements of merchants that meet the selected merchantparameters for that message. If a merchant meets the selected merchantparameters for more than one message, then computer 32 controls printer38 to print all of the messages on to the monthly statement for thatmerchant in accordance with a priority code. For each message, computer32 may also display and/or control printer 38 to print out a list ofmerchants that satisfy the selected merchant parameters for thatmessage.

For each insert, computer 32 then displays and/or controls printer 38 toprint out a list of merchants that satisfy the selected merchantparameters for that insert. A description and form number of the insertassociated with each merchant may also be displayed and/or printed.Stuffing machine operators refer to this information as directions forloading the insertion documents into the envelope of the monthlystatement to be mailed to the merchant. A merchant may receive more thanone insert if the merchant satisfies the merchant parameters of morethan one insert.

Computer 32 includes many graphical user interfaces (GUI) that are usedby a user for defining the messages, the inserts, and the parameterscontrolling the printing of the messages and the placement of theinserts. Referring now to FIG. 3, a message definition GUI 40 displayedby computer 32 is shown. A message definition GUI 40 is associated witheach message. The user enters information into message definition GUI 40to define a message. Message definition GUI 40 includes for each messagethe following: a priority number entry area 42, an effective date entryarea 44, an expiration date entry area 46, a print detail listing entryarea 48, a requester identification entry area 50, and a text entry area52. To define a message, the user enters information into the entryareas. The user may browse through defined messages by clicking next andback buttons 54 and 56. The user may delete obsolete messages byclicking delete button 58. After defining a message, the user may clickrules button 60 to either view the merchant parameters associated withthat message or to select the merchant parameters to be associated withthat message.

Referring now to FIG. 4, upon clicking rules button 60, computer 32displays a merchant selection GUI 70. A merchant selection GUI 70 isassociated with each defined message and includes the merchantparameters to be tested to identify merchants that meet the selectedparameters for that message. Merchant selection GUI 70 includes themessage priority, effective and expiration dates, added and changeddates, the requester identifier, and at least one line of the text ofthe message. The added date is the date on which a merchant selectionGUI 70 has been associated with a message. The changed date is the lastdate on which the merchant selection GUI 70 associated with a messagehas been changed. The at least one line of text is used by a user toquickly determine the message that is associated with merchant selectionGUI 70.

Merchant selection GUI 70 further includes a set of field to be testedentry areas 72, a logical operator entry area 74, and a values to testfor entry area 76. The user can select the merchant attributesidentified above such as market segment, standard industryclassification, credit card merchant category code, etc., in field to betested entry areas 72. For each entry entered in a field to be testedentry area 72, the user enters, or selects from a list, a logicaloperator code in respective logical operator entry areas 74. The logicaloperator code includes the following: EQ is equal to, NE is not equalto, GT is greater than, GE is greater than or equal to, LT is less than,and LE is less than or equal to. The user then enters, or selects from alist, the values to test for in respective values to test for entryareas 76.

Each field to be tested entry along with the associated logical operatorand values to test for is considered as a single rule. Each rule definedin merchant selection GUI 70 has an AND relationship with the otherrules such that all defined rules on merchant selection GUI 70 must betrue for a merchant to qualify for the message.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a message may be associated with morethan one merchant selection GUI 70. In this case, the message has arules group made up of one or more merchant selection GUIs 70 eachcontaining a respective rule set. Each rule set is defined by individualrules on a single merchant selection GUI 70. The individual rules havean AND relationship while the rule sets have an OR relationship. Amerchant qualifies for a message if it satisfies all of the rules on anysingle merchant selection GUI 70 associated with that message.

Referring now to FIG. 6, after the selection rules have been defined,computer 32 may display merchant selection review screen 80. Merchantselection review screen 80 contains a list of those merchants that havequalified for the rules for a particular message. Computer 32 may alsocontrol printer 38 to print the particular message on to the monthlystatement of the listed merchants.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an insert identification GUI 90 displayed bycomputer 32 is shown. An insert identification GUI 90 is associated witheach insert. The user enters information into insert identification GUI90 to define an insert. Insert identification GUI 90 includes for eachinsert the following: a description entry area 92, a form number entryarea 94, an effective date entry area 96, an expiration date entry area98, a print detail listing entry area 100, a requester identifier entryarea 102, and a new insert number entry area 104. To define an insert,the user enters information into the entry areas. The user may browsethrough defined inserts by clicking next and back buttons 106 and 108.The user may delete obsolete inserts by clicking delete button 110.After defining an insert, the user may click rules button 112 to eitherview the merchant parameters associated with that insert or to selectthe merchant parameters to be associated with that insert.

Referring now to FIG. 8, upon clicking rules button 112, computer 32displays a merchant selection GUI 120. A merchant selection GUI 120 isassociated with each defined insert and includes the merchant parametersto be tested to identify merchants that meet the selected parameters forthat insert. Merchant selection GUI 70 includes the effective,expiration, added, and changed dates, the requester identifier, thedescription, and the form number. The description and the form numberare used as directions by stuffing machine operators for loading theinserts into the envelopes of the mailed statements.

Merchant selection GUI 120 further includes, for each rule, a field tobe tested entry area 122, a logical operator entry area 124, and avalues to test for entry area 126. The user can select the merchantattributes identified above in field to be tested entry areas 122. Foreach entry entered in a field to be tested entry area 122, the userenters, or selects from a list, a logical operator code in respectivelogical operator entry areas 124. The user then enters, or selects froma list, the values to test for in respective values to test for entryareas 126.

Each field to be tested entry along with the associated logical operatorand values to test for is considered as a single rule. Each rule definedin merchant selection GUI 120 has an AND relationship with the otherrules such that all defined rules on merchant selection GUI 120 must betrue for a merchant to qualify for the insert. Like messages, an insertmay be associated with more than one merchant selection GUI.

Referring now to FIG. 9, after the selection rules have been defined,computer 32 may display merchant selection review screen 130. Merchantselection review screen 130 contains a list of those merchants that havequalified for the rules for a particular insert. Stuffing operatorsreview the list to determine which merchants are to receive the insertwith their monthly mailed statement.

Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with thepresent invention, a system and method for selectively printing messagesand adding inserts to merchant statements, that fully satisfy theobjects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the presentinvention has been described in conjunction with specific embodimentsthereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of theforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spiritand broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for selectively printing messages tomerchant statements to be mailed within envelopes to merchants and forselectively adding inserts to the envelopes containing the merchantstatements, the merchant statements regarding payment transactionsbetween the merchants and consumers of the merchants, the methodcomprising: using a graphical user interface of a computer for defininga plurality of messages to be printed on the merchant statements,wherein defining the plurality of messages includes defining eachmessage to contain text to be printed on the merchant statements; usinga graphical user interface of a computer for defining a plurality ofinserts to be inserted into envelopes containing the merchantstatements, wherein defining the plurality of inserts includes definingeach insert to be a printed document for insertion into the envelopescontaining the merchant statements; defining a respective merchantparameter to be associated with each message and insert, the merchantparameters defining characteristics that merchants must satisfy toreceive merchant statements having messages and inserts associated withthe respective merchant parameters; identifying merchants satisfying thecharacteristic of each merchant parameter; associating a message withthe merchant statement of a merchant if the merchant has been identifiedas satisfying the characteristic of the merchant parameter associatedwith the message; associating an insert with the merchant statement of amerchant if the merchant has been identified as satisfying thecharacteristic of the merchant parameter associated with the insert;generating directions for adding inserts associated with the merchantstatements of the merchants; and printing messages associated withmerchant statements of the merchants onto the merchant statements of themerchants.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: the merchant parametersinclude a merchant category code.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein:defining each message further includes defining each message to containa priority code, an effective date, an expiration date, a print detaillisting, and a requester identifier.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein:the print detail listing is a flag for listing the merchants identifiedas satisfying the characteristic of the merchant parameter associatedwith a message.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein: defining each insertfurther includes defining each insert to have a description, a formnumber, an expiration date, a print detail listing, and a requesteridentifier.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein: the print detail listingis a flag for listing the merchants identified as satisfying thecharacteristic of the merchant parameter associated with an insert. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein: defining a respective merchant parameterto be associated with each message and insert includes using a graphicaluser interface for enabling a user to define the respective merchantparameters.